As the girls wrestling team heads into the beginning of the season, they are striving for improvement.

The team has some new and old faces this year.

Some key returners are Junior Amelia McClure, who qualified for the sectional meet last season, and Seniors Vivian Guither and Cadence Duvall.

Building off of a strong foundation set last year, the Wildcats are hoping to make a push for state this year, despite last year’s difficulty getting through regionals.

Second year Head Coach Margaret Lehr will be working hard to bring out the best version of these wrestlers.

“[I want] to be a strong [and] consistent role model for them,” Coach Lehr says.

Lehr is hoping that there will be more team bonding opportunities off the mat, so the team can get to know each other and grow their spirit.

“Our team was close last season, but I am looking for them to be even closer this year,” Lehr says.

She hopes to establish a good “family” during the long wrestling season because of all the time the team will spend together.

In addition, a strong routine and traditions to follow will build their synergy.

In hopes of being “potential podium contenders” and expanding the team’s presence, Lehr wants her girls to learn that “hard work pays off, setting goals is important, [and] showing up for yourself is just as important as showing up for your team.”

The team hopes to get through to more state series tournaments and learn from the regional tournament they competed in last year.

The team’s goal is growth. “Growth in our skill, growth in the size of our team, and growth in our understanding of the sport,” Lehr shares.

Growing together means the team will push themselves more and achieve more at their meets this season.

The girls will travel cross town to Normal Community High School on Saturday, November 30 at 9:30 a.m. for their first meet of the season.